Baku: Azerbaijan said on Saturday that its security forces had stopped several suspected plots linked to Iran, including a plan to attack a major oil pipeline that carries crude to global markets.
Authorities said the targets included the Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Israeli embassy in Baku, and a synagogue linked to the country’s Jewish community. The government said the suspected plans were connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to Azerbaijan’s state security service, investigators uncovered a network that allegedly planned sabotage attacks and violent actions inside the country. Officials said two Iranian citizens and one Azerbaijani national were involved in smuggling C4 explosives into Azerbaijan. The suspects were believed to be acting under instructions from operatives linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Security agencies said the plot was disrupted before any attack could take place. International arrest warrants have reportedly been issued for several suspects connected to the plan.
The Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan pipeline is one of the most important energy routes in the region. It transports oil from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and then to global markets. The pipeline is also considered a key source of oil supplies for Israel and parts of Europe.
Azerbaijan said the alleged sabotage plan was a serious threat to regional energy security. Any attack on the pipeline could have disrupted oil exports from the Caspian region and affected international energy markets.
The accusations come at a time of rising tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran. In recent days, Azerbaijan accused Iran of launching drones that struck an airport in the Nakhchivan region, injuring several people. Tehran has denied responsibility for the incident.
Amid the growing tensions, Azerbaijan has also evacuated some of its diplomats from Iran, citing security concerns.
Relations between the two neighbouring countries have been strained in recent years. Azerbaijan has strong security and defence ties with Israel and Turkey, while Iran has repeatedly warned about Israeli influence near its borders.
Officials in Baku said investigations into the alleged plots are continuing as authorities search for other people who may have been involved.